Kicking game is just another area of concern for the Bears

Published 4:00 am, Friday, October 31, 1997

BERKELEY - The kicking game isn't what's ailing Cal, but it's a contributing factor in the malaise.

Sophomore kicker Ignacio Brache has made only five of nine field-goal attempts, missing his last two and four of his last six. He's also only 14-for-18 on extra-point attempts.

Brache's shaky performance opened the door for junior transfer Tim Wolleck, who was beaten out by Brache during fall camp. Wolleck most likely will be making his debut Saturday after out-kicking Brache during the week.

There wasn't competition for freshman P Nick Harris' job, though he's also struggling with his hang time and having had two punts blocked the last two weeks.

"Our opponents have taken advantage of our punt team," said Holmoe. "We need to protect Nick better, give him a little more time. But he also has to get the ball off quicker."

BACK TO THE CRIB: Mike Riley made six stops in his 23-year coaching career before becoming Oregon State's head coach this season. Berkeley is where he got his start.

After graduating from Alabama in 1975, Riley accepted a position on Mike White's staff as a graduate assistant at Cal. The Bears finished 8-3 that season - the last time they claimed a piece of the Pac-10 championship. Riley, who would leave for Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., the following year, had fond memories of his short stint in Berkeley.

"I had a great time at Cal," he said. "I was a graduate assistant, which meant I didn't have to go to class. What a way to break in, with so many quality coaches on that staff."

WORDS OF WISDOM: Holmoe, who played on the 49ers for Bill Walsh from 1983-89 and later was his assistant at Stanford from 1992-94, said he's kept in touch with the old master during the team's five-game losing streak.

"He's given me advice - some personal stuff," Holmoe said. "Most of it has been about generalship. He's not faxing me any plays."

COMING UP SMALL: Big plays continue to haunt Cal. The Bears have surrendered 33 plays that have gone at least 25 yards, of which 17 went for touchdowns. Last week against UCLA, Cal gave up touchdown receptions of 58 and 56 yards to WR Jim McElroy and also allowed pass plays of 54 and 28 yards.

"Big plays need to be eliminated," said Holmoe. "I don't know if it's had a snowball effect. We'd play pretty darn well for a while then we'd give up a big play. Those plays erase any positives."

ETC.: Shaw needs six catches to become Cal's all-time leading receiver. He has 162 career receptions, trailing Brian Treggs (167) and Na'il Benjamin (165). He needs nine catches for the single-season record, set by Sean Dawkins (65) in 1992. . . . Cal's Nov. 8 home game against Arizona State has been moved back to 3:30 p.m. to accommodate the live telecast by Fox Sports syndication. . . . Saturday's game will be shown on tape Sunday at 8 p.m. on Fox Sports Bay Area (formerly SportsChannel).&lt;